Exploring Australia by Coach for more than 30 Years

10 Day Mudgee Christmas Capers

Departs Tuesday, 18th December 2018

FITNESS LEVEL: E – Easy

This Christmas discover the delights of Young and the Mudgee region which are rich in both natural beauty and fine wines. It’s no secret that Young and Mudgee are top destinations for wine and food lovers. Experience the natural beauty of the region with loads of attractions included. Enjoy a fudge tasting at Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory, a cherry farm tour and delicious morning tea, a wineries tour with a local guide and there is so much more! Of course the highlight of your tour is Christmas lunch in the beautiful Blue Mountains. Celebrate Christmas with a tantalising, festive feast followed by a scenic sightseeing drive. So tantalise your tastebuds this Christmas on this special Mudgee Christmas Capers tour.

DAY 1 MARYBOROUGH – MOREED

Tuesday, 18th December: Welcome aboard for a fabulous Christmas caper! With Wide Bay passengers onboard begin our journey south, pick up passengers joining the tour at designated locations enroute, we make our way to Roma Street Station to welcome our Brisbane & Gold Coast passengers. Travel west to Toowoomba and then through Warwick to the border town of Goondiwindi for an afternoon break before arriving in Moree. Stay Burke & Wills Motor Inn.

DAY 2 MOREE – DUBBOBLD

Wednesday, 19th December: Continue south along the Newell Highway to Coonabarabran for morning tea. On arrival in Dubbo, make our way to DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD for lunch and a tour. Onward to the WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL CENTRE for a guided tour before settling in to our motel. Stay Golden West Motor Inn.

DAY 3 DUBBO – YOUNG BLD

Thursday, 20th December: This morning, travel to Parkes for morning tea and free time at THE DISH, then on to lunch and a tour at McFEETERS MOTOR MUSEUM, with its collection of veteran, vintage, classic, street rods and custom cars. Continue via Henry Lawson Way through the historic gold mining town of Grenfell to IANDRA CASTLE for a guided tour of this fantastic example of bygone riches. After our tour, we make our way to Young. Two night stay Cherry Blossom Motel.

DAY 4 YOUNG SIGHTSEEINGBLD

Friday, 21st December: After a leisurely breakfast, start our day with a visit to POPPA’S FUDGE & JAM FACTORY. Sample the many different varieties of fudge, delight in the 200 varieties of lollies, browse through the unique range of homeware, L’Occitane beauty products, chutneys, jams, sauces, cherry products, quilts, soaps and much more. Then on to the LAMBING FLAT FOLK MUSEUM before lunch at the BLUESTILL DISTILLERY followed by a distillery tour and tasting. After lunch, make our way to BALLINACLASH ORCHARD for an ORCHARD AND VINEYARD TOUR before a delicious afternoon tea. You also have the opportunity of picking your own cherries. Next, visit the LAMBING FLAT CHINESE TRIBUTE GARDENS before returning to our accommodation for a well earned rest.

DAY 5 YOUNG – MUDGEE BLD

Saturday, 22nd December: Farewelling Young, head north to Cowra for morning tea and time to wander through the beautiful JAPANESE GARDENS. Continue on to Bathurst for lunch at the RSL and a drive around MT PANORAMA racing circuit. Making our way north stop at MUDGEE YABBIES & FARM STAY for an interesting tour of the yabbie pools while learning all about farming these fascinating little critters followed by a welcome afternoon tea. Continue on to Mudgee our base for the next four nights. Four night stay Parklands Resort.

DAY 6 MUDGEE WINERIES TOURBD

Sunday, 23rd December: Enjoy a day of exploring as our local guide takes us on a WINERIES TOUR. Visit six wineries throughout the day travelling through stunning scenery with abundant plant and wildlife, and a wealth of history as can only be told by a local.

DAY 7 GULGONG & MUDGEE SIGHTSEEINGBD

Monday, 24th December: Today our explorations take us to Gulgong where we visit the GULGONG PIONEERS MUSEUM which houses possibly one of the finest Australiana collection in the country and the HENRY LAWSON CENTRE. After lunch (own expense) return to Mudgee to HONEY HAVEN. Taste the different varieties of honey; watch the bees hard at work through a special glass window which shows a cross section of a real working bee hive. There’s a wide selection of gifts, crafts, pottery and local Mudgee produce for which the region is well known; sample some of the honey wines and liqueurs or simply relax with a cup of coffee. Finally, a visit to HIGH VALLEY WINE & CHEESE CO before returning to our motel.

DAY 8 CHRISTMAS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINSBLD

Tuesday, 25th December: Merry Christmas! Our special day starts with a sightseeing tour of the Blue Mountains. Enjoy morning tea soaking up the majestic vista of CAPERTEE VALLEY from PEARSONS LOOKOUT. Then, on to GOVETTS LEAP overlooking the magnificent Grose Valley before travelling on to Katoomba for a tour along the scenic Cliff Drive. A photo stop at the stunning panorama of the THREE SISTERS is a must. Your special CHRISTMAS LUNCH today is at the Hotel Blue’s elegant Sisters Blue Restaurant, with a tantalising, festive feast. After a delectable meal, retire to Hotel Blue’s Guest Lounge for a game of Pool or Scrabble, or just to sit by the open log fire before returning to Mudgee.

DAY 9 MUDGEE – GLEN INNES BD

Wednesday, 26th December: Leaving Mudgee head north for a morning tea break at Scone then on to Tamworth for lunch (own expense). Travel to Uralla for a visit to the award winning McCROSSIN’S MILL. Continue through Armidale for an afternoon break before continuing on to Glen Innes. Stay Rest Point Motor Inn.

DAY 10 GLEN INNES – HOME B

Thursday, 27th December: After a relaxing Christmas break, wind our way north along the Great Dividing Range crossing the border into Queensland. Travel to Stanthorpe for morning tea (own expense) at VINCENZO’S AT THE BIG APPLE with time to do some shopping. Lunch stop in Warwick with arrival in Brisbane mid afternoon. Northbound passengers stay on coach for arrival in the Wide Bay early evening.